Almond tree in blossom
One of the delights of the countryside of Andalucia is the blossoming of the almond trees.
Some passing sheep and goats in the orchard
These photos were taken in the orchard below our house this afternoon where the trees are just coming into flower.
Pink almond blossom
The colours of the blossom range from white to deep pink.
Lad fishing from the rocks
It has been one of those tranquil mornings when nothing much stirs. Even the sea is calm.
Dozing on the beach
Las Negras this morning was enjoying its winter doze in temperatures above 20C.
Panoramic view of Las Negras from the cliff path to San Pedro
The panoramic view will interest those who have not visited the Cabo de Gata for many years as it shows how the village has developed. There are more villas on the hillside of Los Cortijos and you can see the 4 star Hotel Cala Grande below these.
Lucainena de las Torres
This morning we drove past Nijar and up through the Sierra de Alhamilla in search of almond blossom. The winding, narrow road took us through barren, mountainous country until we alighted at last on the village of Lucainena de las Torres.
Almond blossom and palm at Lucainena
There were not a great many almond trees, and only the early flowering, white varieties were in bloom, while the later varieties, with pink flowers, were still in bud.
Pots and people in the sun
The village though looked very pretty in the winter sunshine.
Even the tattiest walls have pots of geraniums
In the quaint streets, many pots of colourful geraniums hang on the walls of the traditional old houses and ….
The church at Lucainena
…. there is a fine old church.
The old workings
At the end of the 19th Century the village was the centre of a mining industry.
The last remaining chimney
Iron ore was extracted here and a railway constructed to take the ore to the port at Agua Amarga.
The old kilns
The old kilns which transformed raw hematite into much richer material still remain and are a tourist attraction.
Our three dogs
Important news for all dog owners in Spain! We discovered from our vets, Sara and Celia, in Campohermoso this morning that yesterday, the first vaccine against leishmaniosis was released. There are more than two million affected animals in this country and although the disease can be treated, it cannot be cured and prevention, hitherto by the wearing of a special collar, was the only protection against infestation.
The fist vaccination consists of three injections at intervals of three weeks. After this, just one booster vaccine every year is all that’s required. The only downside is, because it’s a live vaccine, it’s likely to be expensive. It’s manufactured by Virbac. If you are bringing a dog to Spain it is worth asking your vet if your dog can be vaccinated before you travel here, bearing in mind that the parasite responsible, a minute sandfly, is active between April and September.
Even the tourists are dozing
Christmas, New Year and Three Kings are over. The sun is still shining though as you can see from these photos taken at Las Negras this morning but there was hardly anybody about.
Solitary boat in the bay at Las Negras
On the sea there was a solitary boat in the bay. All the others have been pulled up onto the beach.
New kids on the block
This afternoon though there were signs of life at our neighbour’s farm with new arrivals enjoying the sunshine.
Rubi
At the beginning of this week we noticed that our big dog, Rubi, was occasionally bleeding a little from her month. We thought she might have a dental problem, gum infection or had bitten her tongue, so we took her to the vets in Campohermoso. Rubi obligingly allowed her large jaws to be held open while Sara, the vet, examined her mouth carefully. At first, she could see nothing, but when she used a torch to peer into the darkest recesses, she discovered a leech attached to the lower part of the gum. The 2cm long bloodsucker was extracted with a pair of tweezers. She noticed that Rubi had several pale marks, one of which you may be able to spot in the photo, on her gums where the leech had attached itself.
The spring at San Pedro
This was the first time the practice had encountered a leech on an animal, so Sara asked us if Rubi had been drinking near a river or spring. We told her of our walk to San Pedro on Sunday morning and said that Rubi had drunk from the spring there. The vet had heard reports of this particular type of leech in San Pedro, so obviously that was where Rubi picked up the parasite. The squatters in San Pedro seem happy drink and wash in this spring. We would urge caution though.
San Pedro from above
This morning we walked over the cliffs from Las Negras to San Pedro. It was a perfect morning for it and quite a few other hikers had the same idea.
The narrow cliff path
San Pedro can be reached only via a narrow cliff path or by boat.
The sandy beach
It is a charming, sheltered little valley with a sandy beach and a spring.
Succulent plants
Succulent plants, such as the one featured here, thrive in the sunshine.
Castillo de San Pedro
There used to be a community living here which must have been almost self-sufficient, but in centuries past they suffered from pirate attacks so the castle was built to protect them.
The spring
When roads and mains facilities reached Las Negras, the community abandoned their houses to move there. The ruins are now squatted in by hippies and the place has become a Mecca for them. Our only objections are that their standards of hygiene and regard for the environment leave a lot to be desired.
Torre de Los Alumbres this morning
The Torre de los Alumbres in the Valle de Rodalquilar along the track to El Playazo was built in 1510 to protect Rodalquilar from Berber pirates who frequently made incursions along this coast to acquire water, minerals and people to sell as slaves. In 1520 it failed to repel a pirate attack and many of the inhabitants of Rodalquilar were captured and enslaved.
Bateria de San Ramon
It was abandoned in 1590 and replaced by the Bateria de San Ramon on the beach – a much more substantial and heavily armed fortification.
Maria's Farm - potato plot. The habas (broad beans) in foreground are doing well
Today we went to see the family at Maria’s Farm, Las Negras to confirm the prices for their holiday cottages this year. They were busy sowing potatoes and redecorating the cottages but were taking a break when we arrived.
Sunflower at Maria's Farm this morning
Here are the rental prices per cottage. I think you will agree that they are very reasonable. For more information on Maria’s Farm enter the name in the search box at the top of the page which will direct you to the relevant blogs.
One and two bedroom cottages – all year except Semana Santa (Easter week) and July/August
Price per cottage 2 people sharing 1 week €190 – deposit €30, 2 weeks €350 – deposit €50
Price per cottage 3 people sharing 1 week €270 – deposit €40, 2 weeks €470 – deposit €60
Price per cottage 4 people sharing 1 week €340 – deposit €50, 2 weeks €570 – deposit €70
One and two bedroom cottages - Semana Santa (Easter week) and July/August
Price per cottage 2 people sharing 1 week €270 – deposit €40, 2 weeks €470 – deposit €50
Price per cottage 3 people sharing 1 week €350 – deposit €50, 2 weeks €590 – deposit €80
Price per cottage 4 people sharing 1 week €420 – deposit €60, 2 weeks €690 – deposit €90
Reservation deposits can be paid by PayPal or Bank Transfer. Balance payable direct to the family on arrival.
Enquiries: info@margaretmerry.com
Preparing to set out from Cala del Cuervo
Just a short walk this morning between Cala del Cuervo, Las Negras and El Playazo del Rodalquilar.
Kayaks and a small sailing boat out to sea - can you spot them?
We spotted a swimmer, several sunbathers, a flotilla of kayaks and other small craft taking advantage of the calm sea.
Spectacular coastal views
The light and colours were incredible so we enjoyed some spectacular views from the cliff path.
Cala del Cuervo
